Hightown Barracks

Hightown Barracks
Wrexham

Hightown Barracks
Hightown Barracks
Location within Wrexham County Borough
Coordinates 53°02′16″N 2°58′58″W / 53.03775°N 2.98275°W / 53.03775; -2.98275Coordinates: 53°02′16″N 2°58′58″W / 53.03775°N 2.98275°W / 53.03775; -2.98275
Type Barracks
Site information
Owner Ministry of Defence
Operator  British Army
Site history
Built 1877
Built for War Office
In use 1877–Present
Garrison information
Occupants 101 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Hightown Barracks is a military installation in Wrexham, Wales.

History

The barracks were built in the Fortress Gothic Revival Style and completed in 1877.[1] Their creation took place as part of the Cardwell Reforms which encouraged the localisation of British military forces.[2] The barracks became the depot for the two battalions of the 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers.[3] Following the Childers Reforms, the regiment evolved to become the Royal Welch Fusiliers with its depot in the barracks in 1881.[3]

Many recruits were enlisted at the barracks at the start of the First World War and the barracks were also used by a commando unit during the Second World War.[1]The Regiment amalgamated with the Royal Regiment of Wales to form the Royal Welsh in 2004 and troops from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh left the barracks for the last time in November 2013.[4] The barracks are still used by 101 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.[4] A company of the Wales Universities Officer Training Corps is also based at the barracks.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Buildings and places of Wrexham past and present". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "Echoes of the past in these Army cuts". 8 July 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Training Depots". Regiments.org. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Royal Welsh ends tradition at Hightown Barracks, Wrexham". BBC. 10 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  5. ↑ "University Officer Training (UOTC)". Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
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